Books
Blood on the Moon by Alan K. Rode
Of the movies categorized as “noir westerns” by writers and historians, none is more celebrated than 1948’s Blood on the Moon. The commingling of the Western genre and the noir style crystalized in this extraordinary film, which in turn influenced the development of the Western in the 1950s as the genre darkened and became more psychological. Produced during the height of the post–World War II film noir movement, the picture transplanted the dark urban environs of the city into the western iconography. Instead of being framed in a Monument Valley sunset, Robert Mitchum’s lone horseman opens the picture as a solitary figure in a dark rainstorm, with the Arizona trail replicating the rain-slicked streets of Los Angeles. Mitchum’s existentialist character Jim Garry plays against traditional Western heroes, with shifting loyalties set against an alienating domain where things are assuredly not what they seem.
Blood on the Moon is a classic Western immersed in the film noir netherworld of double crosses, government corruption, shabby barrooms, gun-toting goons, and romantic betrayals. With this volume, biographer and noir expert Alan K. Rode brings the film to life for a new generation of readers and film lovers.
Alan K. Rode is a charter director and the treasurer of the Film Noir Foundation, spearheading the preservation and restoration of America’s noir heritage. A documentarian and producer, he is also the author of Michael Curtiz: A Life in Film and Charles McGraw: Film Noir Tough Guy.
ISBN 978-0-8263-6469-2
REEL WEST
University of New Mexico Press | unmpress.com
“A first-rate look at an undervalued movie that represents a noted Western author (Luke Short), a talented screenwriter (Lillie Hayward), a director who was just coming into his own (Robert Wise), and a star on the ascendence (Robert Mitchum). Alan K. Rode gives us the story behind the story onscreen.”
Recent Video Appearances and Podcasts
The Extras: Blood on the Moon
Author Alan K. Rode joins Tim Millard’s podcast to discuss his new book BLOOD ON THE MOON, a detailed look at the making of the 1948 western. The discussion takes a deep dive into how this film is a prime example of a noir western, which was a movement in westerns toward realism after World War II.
Alan provides background on star Robert Mitchum and why he was a perfect fit for this noir western style. Tim and Alan also discuss the great director Robert Wise, cinematographer Nicolas Musuraca and the other members of the production team. And then in turn they discuss stars Robert Preston, Barbara Bel Geddes, Phyllis Thaxter, Walter Brennan, and Charles McGraw. The podcast ends with an update from George Feltenstein of the Warner Archive, as to why the film never received a DVD release, and the work that went into bringing it out on Blu-ray in early 2020.
How the West Was 'Cast
Blood on the Moon (1948) – Andrew Patrick Nelson and Matthew Chernov interview Film Scholar Alan K. Rode
The gripping story of a down-and-out cowhand who becomes ensnared in a complex scheme to dupe a local rancher out of a fortune, the moody 1948 film Blood on the Moon combines the mythic milieu of the Hollywood Western with the dark psychological themes of a classic noir. On this engaging episode, Andrew Patrick Nelson chats with acclaimed author, biographer and film noir expert Alan K. Rode, whose latest book – titled Blood on the Moon – offers a fascinating analysis of this influential Western.
The Extras PODCAST: George Feltenstein, Alan K. Rode
Alan K. Rode visits Cinecon for the restoration of INVADERS FROM MARS (1953).
Journeys in Darkness and Light (The Great Movies) with Andy Wolverton and Darnice Jasper
StoryBeat PODCAST: Alan K. Rode, Biographer-Film Scholar-Episode #208
Richard Skipper Celebrates Alan K. Rode PODCAST
Featured Interviews
Blood on the Moon by Alan K. Rode
On sale now!Of the movies categorized as “noir westerns” by writers and historians, none is more celebrated than 1948’s Blood on the Moon. The commingling of the Western genre and the noir style crystalized in this extraordinary film, which in turn influenced the...
Marsha Hunt, 1917-2022: An Appreciation of One of Hollywood’s Genuine Heroines
Film historian Alan K. Rode recalls his friendship with the actress who, beyond being one of the last great links to Hollywood’s golden age, dedicated herself to activism and service, forged in part by her experiences as a survivor of the Blacklist.
Being the Ricardos
A review of “Being the Ricardos” (Amazon Studios, 10dec2021) by Alan K. Rode.
Michael Curtiz: A Life in Film – Q&A – American Cinematheque Event 2aug2020
Here are the remaining questions submitted during the American Cinematheque book club Zoom presentation on Sunday August 2nd, 2020 -- with my responses. So sorry we didn’t have time to get to everyone’s questions but I hope this helps. Thanks again for tuning in! Q...
THE CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE (1936): Separating Fact from Fiction
Over the years, there have been numerous stories published or otherwise repeated about the production of Warner Bros, action film THE CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE (1936).
These anecdotal accounts received additional heft in 1975 with the publication of David Niven’s memoir BRING ON THE EMPTY HORSES.
Among other recollections, Niven wrote about director Michael Curtiz’s “carnage” of injured and dead horses caused by his ordering the use of a “Running W” or trip wire during action scenes that were supposedly filmed in Mexico.
Other versions included a fight between Errol Flynn and Curtiz that never occurred (There was a physical confrontation between both men that occurred six years later during DIVE BOMBER) reportedly caused by Flynn’s rage over the director’s alleged indifference to the welfare of animals with the number of horses crippled or killed during the making of the picture ranging from 20 to 100 or many more.
My research, based on studio production records, correspondence and legal files( including sworn affidavits and photographs) and other sources, revealed an accurate and less fabulist account of what occurred during production of the film.
Blu-ray® Classics
. . . new and forthcoming, with added Commentaries and Documentaries from Alan.
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Blu-ray® Classics
. . . new and forthcoming, with added Commentaries and Documentaries from Alan.
Books